WoodSnap Wedding

Java Tea Co is excited to donate their tea to help out their good friends Tiffany and Caleb the couple behind GWED. Now, if you aren't familiar with Java Tea Co, check them out! Java Tea is a coffee-inspired, handmade, loose leaf tea blend made with organic teas, herbs, flavors and spices, creating a drink that emulates your favorite premium coffee beverages... but they are all made from tea!

The Story of Java Tea Co

The story of Java Tea started over 8 years ago when the world was ruled by overpriced coffee and water-downed teas. Finding a healthy and flavorful beverage was simply challenging. The founder was an avid coffee drinker but constantly looking for a tea that could stand up to the challenge of “healthy-for-me” bold flavors. This is where Java Tea was born. After 5 yrs. of training under a tea guru in the art of sourcing, blending and balancing, our tea blend began to take shape.

But it was a sabbatical in Italy that birthed the nature, mission, vision, and revolution of the Java Tea Company. The espresso speed of life sounds fast, but in Italy, it is a moment frozen in time. And artful appreciation, where the consumer becomes a connoisseur of life, taking in the few minutes while they enjoy their beverage - never to go, never grande. This slow down mentality was incredibly inspiring. Made by human hands and not one-button-push robots. Small in size but massive in flavor. Taking the time to take in the moment. This is the Java Tea Co DNA. Coffee-Inspired Teas, brewed in an Italian Moka Pot, handcrafted and designed for human connection.

What is GWED?

Tiffany and Caleb's wedding is called GWED, an acronym for The Greatest Wedding Ever Donated. The idea of the GWED is to bring attention and money to 5 different charities that the couple selected. Caleb, the groom has Cystic Fibrosis. And has had his quality of life and many years added from the research done by The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other rare disease research. Tiffany, the bride suffered abuse, depression, and other mental health issues. So as a couple, they decided to use their wedding as a fundraiser. Benefitting groups that have had a big impact on their lives and supported them through the toughest times.

If you'd like to donate your skills, time, money, or all three. Please go to The GWEDto find out how you can get involved.

The Wayfarer Foundation is one of the five charities selected by Tiffany Au and Caleb Remington to be grant recipients from the charitable gala GWED. The Wayfarer Foundation was created by actor and humanitarian Justin Baldoni. When Justin turned 30, he started spending his birthdays with friends volunteering and feeding the homeless. Over the years more friends started jumping in to help and the event grew and grew! It grew so quickly that in 2014 he started the annual Carnival of Love. The goal of the carnival is to shine a light on those experiencing homelessness. And provide them with needed resources including career, legal, housing, health, and financial assistance.

All of this is done to build a bridge between the ever-growing population of Skid Row, local residents, and the volunteers. The Carnival of Love has grown exponentially and in 2017 had over 2,000 volunteers! The 2018 Carnival of Love is coming up on January 27, check out CarnivalofLove.org to find out ways that you can help.

The Wayfarer Foundation and GWED

GWED is an acronym for the Greatest Wedding Ever Donated. The GWED couple believes that overcoming personal struggles involves a village of supporters, which is why it is so important to give back like those who helped them in their time of need. They are breaking the mold of traditional weddings by turning their wedding into a charitable gala.

The groom, Caleb Remington was born with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited life-threatening genetic disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system. Caleb's life expectancy was only 19 years of age. He has surpassed that and is going strong, thanks to an incredible attitude, strength, love, and advances in science. His partner Tiffany Au overcame childhood trauma. Stemming from sexual assault, depression, emotional abuse, poverty, first generational living, suicide, and the pressure of raising her siblings, by turning her focus to helping others.

GWED short for the Greatest Wedding Ever Donated was introduced to me by Tiffany Au. Tiffany is the co-creator and bride in GWED. GWED is a wedding that is a charitable Gala which aims to raise awareness and funds for 5 different charities. One specialized in mental health, education, research, rare disease, and low-income families.

GWED Meets WoodSnap

Tiffany came to WoodSnap to pick up some awards printed on wood that we were donating to a charity golf tournament. Right away her magnetic energy, passion, and compassion blew me away. I felt as if I had known forever and made an instant friend. I took her on one of my famous tours of the WoodSnap campus where we got to know each other a little better. As I showed her around the ideas of future collaborations started to bloom. I was sad to say goodbye to her that day but the giant hug that she left me with somehow told me that this was just the beginning of something awesome.

Later that week she sent me pictures and videos from the event where the awards were handed out. We continued to discuss future ideas, then she mentioned GWED. It was way more than I could even grasp. I had to know more. We invited her and her future husband, Caleb to come by and tell us more about it. Once they arrived it was clear that Caleb is just as awesome as Tiffany! We are super stoked to support GWED. If you want to be involved in this amazing and innovative event visit TheGWED.com

What is the story behind The Greatest Wedding Ever Donated? We asked Tiffany and Caleb to explain it in their own words for theWoodSnapblog.

Tiffany Au, 27, and Caleb Remington, 27, grew up 20 minutes away from each other in small suburbs of Chicago but met out in California at the age of 24. Their intense romance is rooted in love for their community and their drive to create open and honest conversations. With no surprise to family and friends, they are magnifying that passion with a twist on how they say “I do.”

Marriage is physical; our intentions are our true bond. Being crafters of love and committing to share this art with the world, we are putting on The Greatest Wedding Ever Donated, a charity fundraiser and benefit concert in place of our wedding! We have partnered up with CW Jane the Virgin Actor and philanthropist, Justin Baldoni, his team at The Wayfarer Entertainment, and The Wayfarer Foundation (our fiscal sponsor) to put on The Greatest Wedding Ever Donated Gala and Benefit Concert to raise $500,000 and awareness for 5 different cause areas that we are personally touched by mental health, rare disease, research, education, and low-income families. The event will take place on May 5th at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. The Gala will consist of live performances, keynote speakers for each cause area, silent auction, raffles, food and beverage, and more! A live Benefit Concert will proceed the charity event in the Theater open up to the general public, our “wedding crashers.”

The day we met each other, our conversations were not so much about our favorite colors and movies, but how we both overcome adversities in life. Volunteerism and community saved my (Tiffany) life from severe depression, anxiety, and years of sexual assault. It gave me purpose and a platform to share my story and help those who were struggling with similar traumatic experiences. I (Caleb), was diagnosed with a genetic condition called cystic fibrosis and there is currently no cure. Despite being sick every day, I chose to live a life of positivity and optimism. Outside of a healthy mindset, we would not be alive without the advanced medicine, support, or encouragement created by organizations like Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

We wanted to create our special day as a tribute to the community members that kept us both ALIVE and spotlight the incredible humans who have constantly reminded us that our disability is not what defines us, it is what challenges us to become stronger and more resilient. Outside of fusing philanthropy and the $76 billion wedding industry, we hope to utilize the attendance, messaging, and overall platform of this special "big day" to create an open dialogue, deep reflection, and stripped conversations as a practice in building long-lasting relationships with your significant other.

Prints on wood are a unique way to bring style and simplicity to your wedding day decor. Plus, you can use the prints to decorate your home after your big day! So the prints look cool and cost effective. Continue reading →

Prints on Wood Series Chapter 2

Another great addition to the prints on wood family. These personalized wood door hangers are must-have for every multi-day celebration! Terrific for guests attending a wedding, special event or any other big celebration. They are double-sided so you can give thanks or instructions on one side, while the back can say "Do Not Disturb", "We are Recovering", or anything else you desire! These make great wedding gifts too! Continue reading →

The new personalized wood side table is the latest addition to the WoodSnap family. Our amazing design team at WoodSnap has been hard at work. And they are always trying to come up with new creative, fun ways for you to express yourself with prints on wood.